Clamp for electric conductors



5, 1929. Y 1 N.. l. sMn-HA i 1,704,305

cmu? Fon ELECTRIC counuc'rons l l l Filed Aug. 4, 1928 Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED sra `emular Fon nLnoTnI-c connucrona Appucaaon med August 4, 192s. seriai No. 297,477.

The invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in snap clamps for electric conductors, such as commonly employed for connecting transmission lilies, bus-bars and the like with the ground or with electric motors or other translating devices, and has for its object to provide a simple and effective device that may be quickly applied to the conductor in any and all positions of the latter with the assur-V ance of an effective electrical contact between the clamp and the conductor.

The invention is illustrated in the acco1npanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective of the device.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the upper portion ot the clamp and its supporting rod.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a plan view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a head sectionformed of a casting of brass or other suitable metal having a flat face 3 provided with a tongue 4 forming an entension of said flat face and terminating 1n the beveled end 5. The side of the head opposite the fiat face is provided with a clamping seat 2 adapted to receive the .end of a cable or similar conductor 18, which is secured by a clampingplate 16 traversed by a set screw 17. In order to firmly alix the end of the cable to the head, the cooperating faces ot' the seat 2 and the clamping plate 16 are provided with U-shaped grooves into which the bent end of the cable or conductor is iitted.

The lower end of the head 1 is provided with a socket 6 adapted to receive the end of a rod or pole 2() by means of which the clamp is applied to and removed from the conductor, the tongue 4 forming an extension of the flat face of the head engaging the rod in the manner illustrated in 1 and 3. The u per end of the head is provided with per orated ears 7 in which is pivotally mounted a jaw member 10, by means of cross pin 12 engaging registering openings in the ears7 and the upper end ot' the jaw 10. The said jaw is of generallyT blade-like forni having an inner edge or face which normally engages the flat face 3 and extension tongue 4 of the head substantially throughout the length of these lat-ter elements, and, if desired, this face or edge of the jaw ma be provided with spaced notches adapte to engage conductors toV PATENT e OFFICE'.

hold the same firmly clamped between the y The jaw l() is provided `with lateral lugsl 13, which are perforated and which lie opposite similar' lugs 9` formed on the head 1, the corresponding' lu s 13 and 9 on the jaw and head, respective y, being traversed b bolts 14 carrying helical springs 15 whic serve to draw the jaw 10 firmly into engagement with the flat face 3 and tongue 4 of the head. f i

It will be understood that the conductor or cable 18 and the sup orting rod 20 may be of any desired lengt andthe free end of the cable 18 is provided with a suitable connector, such as 21, by` means of which the clamp may be electrically connected with the grounding means or with another conductor, as will be understood.

It will be particularly noted that the clamp 1s free from projecting parts which would tend to obstruct the entrance of a conductor of any type, such as an overhead wire or a stationary bus-bar, between the Jaw and head portion, that the relation of the jaw and the cooperating face ofthe head and the tongue extension thereof insures an efective electric connection between the con-` ductor, whatever the size of the latter, and the head. In applying the clamp to the conductor, the curved end of the aw 10 is hooked over the conductor and t e clamp moved by the pole 20 to cause the conductor to enter the throat between the jaw 10 and the flat face of the head, the entrance being.` facilitated by the beveled end of the tongue 4 and the curved end of the jaw. The relatively larve zone of engagementbetween the jaw and the head insures a irm clamping of the conductor between the jaw and the head whether the conductor be a relatively small wire or a heavy bus-bar. Likewise the location of the conducting cable on the side of the head opposite that of the `clamping jaw prevents the cable offering anyobstruction to the engagement between the clamp i and the conductor. y

What I claim is: y v

A clampk for electric conductors comprising a metal head having a fiat lateral face with a tongue forming a longitudinal eX- tension thereof and a socket in one end to ieA ceive a supporting rod, a jaw pivoted to the upper end of the head having a face nor 5 maliy engaging theat face and tongue of the head substantially throughout the length thereof and terminating in a iared end,

spring means for forcing the jaw toward the head, means on the side of the head oppo site the jaw for securing a fiexible conductor to the head, and a rod engaging the socket in the head.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature.

NEWTON L'SMITH. 

